Wesley House enjoys a rich history of over 100 years worth of community service.  Here you can have a look at some of the many programs Wesley House has offered in the past.

 

 

 

     The Kindergarten, under the supervision of Miss Marie Welley, is doing splendid work.  It has been said that "The world moves forward on the feet of little children."  Truly there is wonderful opportunity for service where there are little children to be trained.

 

     It is gratifying to watch the development of these children from day to day.  Their first hour in the morning is spent in free play.  During this time they build everything from a toy house to a train.  They play church, house keeping, school, and gardening.

     

     Their half-hour of music each morning gives them an opportunity to skip, sing and do rhythm band work.  They have learned some of the beautiful Sunday School children's songs with scripture quotations.  They love to look at the beautiful pictures portraying the life of Christ, especially those master paintings where Christ is blessing the little children.

 

     The Knoxville Journal Goodfellows' Club furnishes milk each day for the children.  They look forward to that period in the morning when their milk is served.

 

   

     Six of the Kindergarten children graduated in June and will enter public school in the fall.  They will go to public school much better equipped with their Kindergarten experience at Wesley House.

 

     

     A very interesting group of Junior and Intermediate Girls are members of the Camp Fire Club.

 

     The Camp Fire Law is "Woship God, seek beauty, give service, pursue knowledge, be trustworthy, hold on to health, glorify work and be happy.  An effort is made to influence the girls to follow this Law.

 

The Camp Fire Program is built around the seven crafts, which include Home, Hand, Health Camp, Citizenship, Nature and Business.

 

     Community Service projects and Summer Camps comprise some of their activities.  Once during the year, they present a play and use the proceeds for Summer Camp or other necessary phases of the work.

 

     The Camp fire Ceremonials are always helpful and inspiring, and the entire program has proved a splendid one for the girls who come to Wesley House.  They love to sing the beautiful Camp Fire Songs.  All the things they do as a group help to give them an all round development.  They are given something to build and a goal to reach.

 

    

     The Intermediate boys are members of the Wesley House Scout Troop.  Some of the Scout executives in the city have worked gilligently to get this troop reorganized.

 

     One interested father in the community consented to be Scout Master.  He is taking a course in Scouting, and is enthused about the possibility of building up the moral in his group.

 

     Groups of men and women of the Methodist Churches in the city have volunteered to furnish the necessary funds for equipping the work shop.  And now with a new beginning, and with the interest of efficient leaders, and a well equipped work shop as an added attraction, there will be renewed interest in the Scout program.

 

     These boys will be kept away from bad influences by keeping busy with the many good things the Scout Program offers.

 

    

     The Music Department is composed of thirty boys and girls, all eager to learn some musical instrument.  They are given group instruction once a week.  During this time they learn rhythm with drum, triangle, castinets, tambourines, and other rhythm instruments.  To get more experience in rhythm, they side skip, jump rope and bounce a ball to music.  All of this is great fun, and at the same time, they are learning orchestra work.

 

     Each pupil is given instruction on the piano once a week.  Some study piano, accordian, marimba, or tune-toned bells.  When the instruments are all played together, they form a "Toy Symphony Orchestra."  The great composers are studied and all are taught to appreciate good music.  The group plays for the public every opportunity--they have put on some good programs before church and other groups.

 

     Good results are being noticed all along in their music.  Some have received certificiates of honor for finishing the first grades.  This has inspired others to push forward faster.

 

     In this department, we are trying to train leaders that can take their place in the community in future years.  The parents are cooperating in a beautiful way.

 

 

     Pageantry and religious drama always stimulate interest among boys and girls in a Settlement House program.  The Wesley House boys and girls entered into a Christmas pageant with a great deal of zeal and enthusiasm.  The intermediate boys put up a background of the city of Bethlehem, and hung, many beautiful stars over the city.  One father in the community made a large tin star, and the girls put silver paint on it, which gave the city of Bethlehem a beautiful setting.

 

     The boys made the shepherds' crooks and manger.  They were all very proud of their accomplishments.  When the program was over, they said, "Let's put on a Christmas pageant once a month."

 

     Before the program began, some members of the music club gave "Silent Night" and the "Angelus" on the piano and marimba.  Then the Junior CHoir sang "The Bethlehem Lullaby."

 

     The correlation of music and drama helped to bring a beautiful Christmas message.  The White Gift offering amounted to $30.20.  We believe those who attended this Christmas program were uplifted spiritually, and those who portrayed the Bible characters received a blessing.

 

     These same boys and girls gave an Easter play which was much appreciated by the people of our Brookside Methodist Church.  The play given was "The Challenge of the Cross."  A lighted cross gave an inspirational background for the play as the boys and girls presented an interesting Easter message.

 

 

     The Mothers come out one night a week for their group meeting, which is always opened with singing and prayer.  After a short business meeting, the group listens to a travel talk or a book review.

 

     Some executives of the USO have given splendid lecture son the geographical setting, the customs of the people of the Southwest Pacific and European area where many of their boys are fighting.

 

     Illustrated slides and songs are give occasionally.  Three times a year a birthday party is held when all the birthdays in that four-month period are  celebrated.

 

     One night in the month, and educational film is shown.  At this time, the members of the Club invite their families.  This is Community Night, and is looked forward to by all ages near Wesley House.

 

     Some members of the Mothers Club have been coming to Wesley House since its organization many years ago.

 

     After having worked in the home or Brookside Mill all day, they are very tired.  But they are eager to come to the Club, and are rested when they get together in a social way and enjoy the varied programs presented.

 

    

     Each Friday evening, the Young People meet at Wesley House for recreation.  Interested Young Adults from five Methodist Churches in the city sponsor this program, which consists of basketball, badminton, table croquet, ping pong and quiet games, with some group singing and other social activities.

 

     It is felt that these contacts with other church young people mean much to the Youth of our community.  They are learning fair play as they have good wholesome times together.